Summary
During this amazing Costa Rica Itinerary (8 days) you will discover the capital city of Costa Rica, San José and Braulio Carrillo National Park, where you will enjoy an aerial tram tour. During the tour you will experience the secrets of the rainforest canopy as you fly through the treetops and enjoy magnificent views of the national park. It is home to more than 500 species of birds, 6,000 species of trees and plants, and over 135 species of animals including toucans, guans, eagles, jaguars, tapirs, monkeys and quetzals. You will also enjoy whitewater rafting on the Reventazon River, which was the first river used for commercial rafting trips in Costa Rica. This wonderful introduction to whitewater rafting will give you two hours of fun on the river, and with a minimum age of 9 years old, it’s a great trip for families. You will learn the techniques used over the years to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica and the world during the Doka coffee tour, discover Poás Volcano located at 2,708 metres above sea level, and visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, which is an area of outstanding beauty in Costa Rica.
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Gabriela
Local travel expert in Costa Rica
I will be delighted to create amazing experiences for you in Costa Rica and show you what my beautiful country has to offer. Let’s design together the itinerary of your dreams, let’s make this trip the most memorable of your life.
Itinerary
On arrival in San José, Costa Rica, you will be welcomed at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transferred to your hotel in the city.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a tour of the National Theatre, a masterpiece of art and architecture known as “The Jewel of San Jose,” completed in 1897 by Costa Rican builders. Then you will visit the Gold Museum (an archaeological site of interest) and the Central Market, a place full of Costa Rican culture, heritage, and traditions. You can browse and buy some local handicrafts. You will also visit the Metropolitan Cathedral.
As you travel through the San José, your guide will show you several historical and important buildings, for example, the University of Costa Rica, the old train station, the National Liquor Factory, the Supreme National Board of Elections, the Legislative Assembly (equivalent to Congress), the Metallic Building, more and some parks and other sites of interest. In addition, you will visit an art gallery for souvenir shopping. This introduction to the capital city will inform you about the economy, culture, politics, religion, and current affairs of Costa Rica.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
In the morning, you will visit Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most extensive national parks in Costa Rica that covers an area of over 44,099 hectares and encompasses seven diverse habitats. Located some 20 km northeast of the capital city, Braulio Carrillo is a key protector of the ecology of the surrounding area. It is home to more than 500 species of birds, 6,000 species of trees and plants, and over 135 species of animals including toucans, guans, eagles, jaguars, tapirs, monkeys and quetzals.
You will enjoy a gondola ride on the aerial tram tour in the park. During the tour you will experience the secrets of the rainforest canopy as you fly through the treetops and enjoy magnificent views of the national park. On the ground, the second part of the tour takes you walking along trails and hanging bridges in the private reserve. Your guide will help you spot the wildlife that more abounds in the area.
You can complete your tour by visiting the Herpetarium to learn about interesting species of amphibians and reptiles. In the Orchids Garden, you can find out information about these unique plants (more than 30,000 species worldwide) found on every continent. The Butterfly Garden lets visitors appreciate unique and beautiful butterflies in a carefully controlled environment of 200 square metres containing dozens of exotic and tropical species.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy a free day to discover San José on your own.
You can also opt for additional excursions to volcanoes, national parks, adventure parks, river rapids, Pacific Ocean cruises, and more.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a fun day on one of Costa Rica’s most classic whitewater rafting trips! Ten miles of big, exciting, class 2-3 rapids on the Florida section of the Reventazon River are ideal for beginners or those who want a less intense rafting experience. The Reventazon River was the first river used for commercial rafting trips in Costa Rica and is the longest river in the Caribbean region. There is always enough water for rafting year-round because dams control the river. The river’s hydroelectric dams produce most of the country’s renewable energy.
This wonderful introduction to whitewater rafting gives you two hours of fun on the river, and with a minimum age of 9 years old, it’s a great trip for families! Internationally certified, bilingual rafting guides will steer you down the lively rapids through the breathtaking Reventazon Valley. Look for toucans, more kingfishers, herons, tanagers, iguanas, and emerald basilisks along the way. You will have worked up an appetite while rafting, so a delicious lunch will be waiting for you when you finish. At the take-out point, you can enjoy a cold drink at the bar (at additional cost), shower, and change clothes before driving back to San José. This unforgettable trip will be one of the many highlights of your visit to Costa Rica!
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
This day is free so that you could discover San José on your own.
You can also opt for additional excursions to volcanoes, national parks, adventure parks, river rapids, Pacific Ocean cruises, and more.
You are recommended to visit the Arenal Volcano. Majestic in its grand stature, the volcano is one of the country’s natural wonders and the most popular of Costa Rica’s volcanic giants. The Arenal Volcano (1,670 m) towers over the surrounding fertile landscape with plantations producing the best coffee in the world. While the volcano is quiet nowadays and there are no lava eruptions, you can still see clouds of smoke or ash emanating from the top of the cinder cone. The symmetrical cone-shaped Arenal Volcano erupted in the past an average of 41 times a day and while it currently slumbers, Arenal and the surrounding area are a great base for touring.
You can also enjoy a more hiking trail in Arenal Volcano National Park. You will see how the forest vegetation and terrain have been affected by volcanic activity, including old lava flows. Afterwards, you can visit the Río Fortuna Waterfall, located in a biological reserve of transitional humid tropical forest that is part of Arenal Volcano National Park. The path to the waterfall’s base winds down 530 steps, and there are several areas along the way, where you can make a stop and have a rest.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
In the morning, you will visit the century-old Doka coffee estate, where you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican breakfast and a coffee tour. On this working coffee plantation, you will learn the techniques used over the years to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica and the world. You can observe the careful process of cultivating, harvesting, and drying the famous “golden bean” so prized by Costa Ricans and taste the finished product.
Afterwards, you will continue you trip to Poás Volcano National Park. Located at 2,708 metres above sea level, the volcano has been active since 1828. In the park, you will see the impressive main crater with its fumaroles and perceive a remarkable change in temperature and lush cloud forest vegetation.
Next, you will visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park which is an area of outstanding beauty in Costa Rica. Here you will walk along a more beautiful trail leading to different attractions of the park, including an aviary, the largest butterfly observatory in the country, a hummingbird garden, a serpentarium, a frog garden, and areas with monkeys and jungle cats. During the tour, you will enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch in the rainforest, followed by a hike to three impressive natural waterfalls formed by the La Paz River.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
This day is free so that you could discover San José on your own.
You can also opt for additional excursions to volcanoes, national parks, adventure parks, river rapids, Pacific Ocean cruises, and more.
You are recommended to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica due to its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest and at the same time, the most visited Costa Rica’s national parks due to its beautiful beaches between coastal foothills, lush forest, and abundant wildlife. It is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Costa Rica. You will be able to visit virgin beaches, with coral reefs, bordered by lush vegetation and natural wonders of the rainforest. The beaches of Manuel Antonio are highly coveted as some of the best Costa Rica has to offer. Many popular activities such as world-class more surfing and snorkelling are available.
There are several trails for walking in Manuel Antonio National Park with many viewpoints, and there is a high probability of seeing animals in their natural habitat. At various points, the trails branch off and lead to four separate beaches: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondida, and Playita, where you can swim in the crystal clear and warm water.
Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San José.
Today, you will be transferred from the hotel to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. Please note that you should be at the airport at least three hours before your flight departs.
Prices
Travel dates
Prices for private tours
Upon request
Price per person in €
1 Pers.
2 Pers.
3 Pers.
3* Hotel (Jan. 1 - June 30, 2024)
1279€
894€
742€
3* Hotel (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024)
1312€
921€
765€
4* Hotel (Jan. 1 - June 30, 2024)
1443€
976€
821€
4* Hotel (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024)
1467€
1000€
876€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 1 Pers. | 2 Pers. | 3 Pers. | ||
|
Prices for private tours Upon request |
3* Hotel (Jan. 1 - June 30, 2024) | 1279€ | 894€ | 742€ |
| 3* Hotel (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024) | 1312€ | 921€ | 765€ | |
| 4* Hotel (Jan. 1 - June 30, 2024) | 1443€ | 976€ | 821€ | |
| 4* Hotel (July 1 - Nov. 30, 2024) | 1467€ | 1000€ | 876€ | |
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in a single (SGL), double (DBL) / twin (TWN) or triple (TPL) room at 3* or 4* hotels in San José;
- Breakfast at the hotel;
- Lunch on day 2, 4, 6 of the itinerary;
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to the hotel in San José;
- Transfer from the hotel in San José to Juan Santamaria International Airport;
- Transportation during the entire itinerary;
- Local English speaking guides;
- Infants from 0 to 2 years do not pay;
- Children’s rate applies for ages 3 to 11 years. Maximum 2 children sharing a room with their parents.